Authorized access to off-line messaging

ABSTRACT

A method and implementing instant messaging processing system are provided which include means by which a user is enabled to input certain selective details concerning the user&#39;s off-line status. Such user selections are stored by an TM server and subsequently made available to other IM users when such other IM users log-on to the IM application. User selections include a listing of common reasons why a user is not available and means are provided for the user to select specific applicable details concerning the user&#39;s off-line status. A user is also enabled to input custom text messages to selectively provide even more specific detail to other users of the IM application concerning the user&#39;s off-line status. Means are further provided to enable a user to input more than one custom off-line message and also to indicate the timing of each message and when each message shall be made available to other IM users. A user is also enabled to selectively designate certain individuals to whom access to predetermined messages is made available during the off-line status of the IM user such that access to one off-line message is made available to selected IM participants but not to all IM participants.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Subject matter disclosed but not claimed herein is disclosed andclaimed in co-pending related applications AUS920030094US1 andAUS920030318US1.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to information processingsystems and more particularly to a methodology and implementation forenabling improved processing functionality within instant messagingsystems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The existence and continued acceptance and use of the World WideWeb and the Internet have resulted in many new and useful applicationsbecoming available to users of the Internet. One such application whichis growing in popularity is known as “instant messaging” or BRIM”.Various IM applications are provided from many sources but all suchapplications have many common features

[0004] In general, IM applications enable a user to register with an IMserver on the World Wide Web or other network using the Internet. Suchapplications may also be accessed through other local area and wide areanetworks as well. When a user accesses an IM application, the userinputs the user's personal information together with a useridentification (ID) and a password. The user is then enabled todesignate a user name which the user will use to identify himself orherself in subsequent “chat” sessions or in sending messages to andreceiving messages from other users.

[0005] Instant messaging has become an important part of both personaland business communications. Millions of users communicate using instantmessaging systems every day, and as such, functionality and usabilityenhancements are important to the continued success of thiscommunication tool. Instant messaging applications do, however, haveserious flaws and/or shortcomings which must be corrected if they are tocontinue to thrive as a communications vehicle.

[0006] For example, with current applications, when a user exits theprogram and goes off-line, only a brief reference is available to otheron-line participants to indicate the on-line status of the departinguser. In many instances, when “buddies” (i.e. individuals identified anddesignated by a user to be included on the user's “buddy list”) of auser log-on to an IM application, they can determine only that the “Useris Off-Line”, or “Unavailable”. These perfunctory announcements aregenerated by an IM server and are typically automatically provided andaccessible to all when a user logs-off from an IM application

[0007] Thus, there is a need for an improved methodology and system forenabling improved instant message processing in electronic communicationsystems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided aninstant messaging system including means by which a user is enabled toinput certain selected details concerning the user's off-line status.Such user selections are stored by an IM server and subsequently madeavailable to other IM users when such other IM users log-on to the IMapplication. A user is enabled to selectively designate certainindividuals to whom access to predetermined messages is made availableduring the off-line status of the IM user such that access to oneoff-line message is made available to selected IM participants but notto all IM participants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A better understanding of the present invention can be obtainedwhen the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment isconsidered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system which may beused in an exemplary implementation of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating several of themajor components of an exemplary user terminal connected within anInstant Messaging system;

[0012]FIG. 3 is an illustration of a display screen which may be used toenable user selection of several user preferences in an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 4 is an illustration of a display screen which enables a userto select one of several optional operational enhancements in anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 5 is an illustration of a display screen which enables a userto select one or more features related to the disclosed exemplarysystem;

[0015]FIG. 6 is an illustration of a display screen which enables a userto select one or more additional features related to the disclosedexemplary system;

[0016]FIG. 7 is an initial flow chart useful in explaining the operationof an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed system;

[0017]FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustration of an exemplary implementationof the disclosed system and related methodology;

[0018]FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustration of an overall operation of anexemplary implementation of the disclosed system and methodology;

[0019]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary IM serverdatabase which may be implemented in relation to the present invention;and

[0020]FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustration showing an exemplary sequenceof events when a participant logs-on to an IM application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] It is noted that circuits and devices which are shown in blockform in the drawings are generally known to those skilled in the art,and are not specified to any greater extent than that considerednecessary as illustrated, for the understanding and appreciation of theunderlying concepts of the present invention and in order not toobfuscate or distract from the teachings of the present invention.

[0022] The various methods discussed herein may be implemented withinany communication device capable of receiving and transmitting signalsutilized in instant messaging applications and/or chat sessions, overany inter-connection network, including but not limited to the Internetand the World Wide Web. In the present disclosure such devices include,but are not limited to, cellular and other wireless devices, personaldigital assistant devices, laptop and personal computers and also desktop computers connected in local area or wide area networks. The presentdiscussion will be directed to a server-based instant messaging and/orchat application although it is understood that the principles involvedin the present invention may be applied, inter alia, to all of the abovenoted receiving and transmitting devices and systems.

[0023] In FIG. 1 there is shown an exemplary system in which the presentinvention may be implemented. The illustration shows several userterminals 109, 111, 113, 115 and 117 which may be interconnected withseveral instant messaging servers 101, 103 and 105 through aninterconnection network 107 such as the Internet. The servers includeinstant messaging and chat session applications and the individualusers' terminals also include chat session and instant messagingprogramming to enable the users to “chat” or send instant messages toeach other by exchanging communications between servers over theinterconnection network 107. As noted above, the user terminals can be adesktop personal computer (PC) or any information processing device,such as a cellular phone or personal digital assistant device, which maybe connected as shown in FIG. 1 through a hard-wired or wireless systemarrangement.

[0024] Several of the major components of the device 101 are illustratedin FIG. 2. A processor circuit 201 is connected to a system bus 203. Itis noted that the processing methodology disclosed herein will apply tomany different bus and/or network configurations and is not limited tothe configuration of the present example. A cache memory device 205 anda system memory unit 207 are also connected to the bus 203. Theexemplary system also includes a system storage devices 209. The systembus 203 is also connected through an input interface circuit 211 to akeypad or keyboard 213 as well as alternate input devices 215 which mayinclude voice and/or stylus input devices. The bus 203 is also coupledto a transmitter/receiver section 217 which enables the receipt andtransmission of digital information. The illustrated system may also becoupled to a network system through the transmitter/receiver section217. The exemplary system also includes a sound subsystem 224. Inputmeans such as a microphone 226 and output means such as speaker 225 mayalso be included to enable a user to communicate with the device usingvoice commands and voiced menu and message playbacks. A video subsystem227, which may include a graphics subsystem, is connected between thebus 203 and a display device 228.

[0025] Typically in an instant messaging session, a user logs on to thesystem and selects an instant messaging application. A so-called “buddylist” is created by a user and comprises a list of IM users which asingle user may identify as his or her “buddies”. In the instantmessaging application, when a user logs-on to the system, the user isthen immediately notified as to which of the individuals on the user'sbuddy list are currently logged-on to the application and able toreceive instant messages.

[0026] As hereinbefore noted, when the user logs-off the application,typically the IM server automatically generates a “not available” orsimilar message which will appear to all participants who are logged-onor who thereafter log-on and who have the user on their respective buddylist. In the present example, as shown in FIG. 3, when a user logs-offthe IM application, an Off-Line Status Message screen 301 is displayedto the user and the user is enabled to make selections from the screenusing a pointing device 325 regarding the off-line status of the user.The user's selections are then stored at the IM server and madeavailable in accordance with the user's selections to other IM users.The exemplary display screen 301 enables a user to select a standardmessage from a listing of selectable off-line status messages 303. Ifthe user wishes to select from a listing of standard off-line messages,the user is enable to place a marker such as a “X” in the appropriatebox 305 using the pointer 325 and keyboard 213 and then pointing to the“DONE” box 323. The selection process may also be accomplished usingother techniques such as hypertext selections where the user need onlypoint and click on the hypertext selection 303 and a screen or pop-upwindow (not shown) containing possible standard message selections wouldbe displayed to the user for further selection. The standard selectionswould include messages such as “NOT AVAILABLE”, “ON VACATION”, “INTRANSIT FOR INDEFINITE PERIOD”, or other massage that does not requireand further user input except to select the standard message and exitthe application. Further details regarding the standard messageselection process are considered unnecessary and are not presented inany greater detail.

[0027] If the user wishes to provide further information regarding theuser's unavailability for other IM users, the user is enabled to selectone or more of the other blocks shown in FIG. 3 before logging-off theIM application. For example, the user may select block 311 to indicatethat the user is “IN TRANSIT” 307 and the user is further enabled toprovide a phone number or cell phone number in block 309 at which theuser may be reached while in transit. Similarly, the user by selectingblock 317 is enabled to indicate that the user is “ON VACATION” 313 andthe user may input the applicable dates in block 315. Also, if the userwishes to create a custom message or provide a listing of users whowould be authorized to access the user's messages 319, the user may soindicate by marking box 321. When the user has completed making his orher selections from the off-line status message screen 301, the user isenabled to select the “DONE” block 323 to continue. The user may alsocancel at any time by selecting the “CANCEL” block 327. In the eventblocks 311 or 317 are selected, the entered data is saved to an IMserver database and made available to other IM users as appropriate. Ifthe user selects block 321 to create a custom message, a “CREATE MESSAGEAND AUTHORIZED ACCESS SCREEN” 401 is displayed to the user in thepresent example for further user input.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the “Create Message” screen 401 enables auser to create one or more custom messages. The user may create a firstcustom message by marking block 407 to create message “A” 403 andentering the text of the custom message in the corresponding block 405.Similarly, the user may create a second custom message by marking block413 to create message “B” 409 and entering the text of the second custommessage in the corresponding block 411. Further custom messages 415 mayalso be created by checking block 417 which, in one example, would causea pop-up window to appear (not shown) to enable further text input andcustom messages from the user in a manner similar to that shown formessages A and B.

[0029] The CREATE MESSAGE screen 401 also enables the user to input theuser's timing requirements 419 for the created messages such thatcertain ones of the messages will be accessible by other IM users onlyduring the times specified by the user for the corresponding message.For example, in the present example, for message A 421, the user mayfill in a data block 423 to indicate accessible times and dates formessage A and checking the message A timing block 433. The user isenabled to input the exact times 425, 429 and dates 427, 431 thatmessage A will be made available. Similarly, for message B 435, the usermay fill in a data block 437 to indicate accessible times and dates formessage B and checking the message B timing block 439. The user may alsocancel the operation at any time by checking the CANCEL block 433. Ifthe user does not wish to create an Authorized Access List, the user maycheck the DONE block 445 with pointer 447 after inputting the user'stiming requirements and the timing information as well as the custommessages will be stored at the IM server off-line message database foraccess by other IM users.

[0030] If the user wishes to Create an Authorized Access List 442, theuser is enabled to select block 441 for further user input as shown inFIG. 5. When the user selects block 441 in the present example, tocreate an authorized access list to the created messages, an authorizedaccess selection screen 501 is displayed to the user. As shown, the useris enabled to designate that only designated authorized users specifiedby the user may have access to corresponding messages. For example, ifthe user wishes to designate which individuals will have access tomessage A 505, the user is checks block 503 in FIG. 5. The user may thencheck the appropriate block to make message A available to all 507 onthe users buddy list or to make message A available to only individualsselected by the user 509. Similarly, with regard to message B 511, theuser may check the appropriate block to make message B available to all515 on the users buddy list or to make message B available to onlyindividuals selected by the user 517. If the user wants to give accessto only a selected few with regard to either message, a pop-up window518, containing a listing of individuals from which to choose, will bedisplayed to the user. Also, the user may select to authorize emergencyaccess 521 by checking block 519. The emergency access protocol would bean agreed-upon predetermined process by which an individual who wouldneed to contact the user would be directed to obtain access to an IMserver administrator, for example, to determine an emergency phonenumber for the user. The user may cancel at any time by checking block525 or indicate that the user has finished making selections by checkingthe DONE block 523.

[0031] If the user has chosen to designate only selected individuals tohave access to either message, a Select Authorized Access pop-up screen518 will be displayed to the user to enable the user to select whichindividuals will have access to which messages. In the present example,the user has chosen to designate selected individuals to have access tomessage B. The screen 518 in the present example will include the namesof individuals on the user's buddy list and the user is enable to choosewhich of those individuals will have access to the user's createdoff-line status message B. In the example, since no selection was madefor message A, message A will be available for all those on the usersbuddy list by default. As shown in FIG. 6, the user has designated onlyJoe 605 by checking block 603 and Nancy 611 by checking block 613 tohave access to the user's off-line status message B. Thus Mike 609 willnot have access to message B will may be shown a default off-line statusmessage instead depending upon specific system design. The user maycheck CANCEL 617 at any time or check the DONE block 615 to indicatethat the user is finished making selections from the screen 518.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 7, the selection processing begins with thedisplay 701 of the off-line status message screen 301. The processingends if the user selects 703 the CANCEL block 327 but continues to block801 if the user selects 705 the DONE block 323. When the DONE block 323is selected, the system checks to determine which selections the userhas made and proceeds to implement the user's selections.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 8, if the user has selected to use a standardoff-line status message 803, a listing of standard messages is displayed805 and the user is enabled to select which standard message the userwishes to be accessible to individuals on the user's buddy list. Oncethe selection is made 807, the selection is saved at the IM serverdatabase 809 and displayed to other users when other users on the user'sbuddy list log-on to the IM application.

[0034] If the user has selected 811 an “In Transit” message 307 fromFIG. 3, then after selecting DONE 323, the phone input block is checkedfor phone number data 813 and if no phone number has been inserted intothe phone number block 309 then the user is prompted to insert the phonenumber where the user can be reached while in transit. Once the phonenumber has been input, the message along with the phone number is savedat the IM server database 817 and the process is ended.

[0035] If the user had selected 819 the “Vacation” message 313, then thevacation data block 315 is checked 821 for vacation data, and if novacation data has been inserted into the vacation data block 315 thenthe user is prompted 823 to insert the vacation data, i.e. the dates andtimes as applicable. Once the vacation data has been input, the Vacationmessage along with the corresponding data are saved at the IM serverdatabase 821 and the process is ended.

[0036] If the user had selected to create a message 827 (319 in Figure),then, after selecting DONE 323, the processing continues to block 901 asshown in FIG. 9. The application will then check 903 for user input inthe message A field 405. If the user had created 903 a first message orMessage A in the example, the message is saved 905 to the IM serverdatabase, and a check is made to determine if the user had input anytiming requirements 907 for message A. If such timing requirements wereinput by the user, the timing data are saved 909 to the IM serverdatabase and a check is made to determine if the user input anyauthorized access requirements 911 for message A. If the user hadidentified buddies who would have authorized access 911, then thoseidentified by the user to have authorized access to off-line statusmessage A would be saved to the IM server database 913. Next, a check ismade to determine if there are any additional messages 915. This datagathering process would be repeated 917 for other messages until alldata associated with all created off-line messages had been saved to theIM server database. The user-input messages, timing and authorized userdata would then be made available to other users who log-on to the IMserver in accordance with the user's input.

[0037]FIG. 10 illustrates a portion of an exemplary database 901 whichmay be maintained at the IM server to keep track of user input by allusers who may log-on to the server-based IM application. As shown, userdata are stored in columns corresponding to the individual users, e.g.David, Sue and John 903. Data rows keep track of similar data for eachuser. For example, a first row 905 contains message A inputs from eachuser David, Sue and John. Similarly, the next row 907 tracks timing formessage A for each user, and the next rows 911 and 913 keep track ofauthorized access and emergency access for message A of each user.Similar data are stored for message B 915 of each user and also foradditional messages. As the stored data expire by timing requirements orare replaced by the respective user, the database is updated to maintaincurrent information.

[0038] In FIG. 11, a log-on sequence begins 1101 by detecting when a newparticipant logs-on 1103 to the exemplary IM application. The authorizedaccess (AA) lists in the server database are then checked 1105 to see ifthe new participant is included in a user's AA list. If the newlylogged-on participant is not in one of the users' AA lists 1107, thenthe standard IM processing is executed 1109. If, however, the newparticipant is on the user's AA list 1107, then a check is made todetermine if the user is currently off-line 1111. Steps 1107 and 1111can occur in any order. If the user is currently on-line 1111 then theflow returns to the standard IM processing 1109. If, however, the useris currently off-line 1111, then the user's off-line status message iscaused to be displayed to the new participant 1113 and the process thencontinues with the IM application flow 1115.

[0039] The method and apparatus of the present invention has beendescribed in connection with a preferred embodiment as disclosed herein.The disclosed methodology may be implemented in a wide range ofsequences, menus and screen designs to accomplish the desired results asherein illustrated. Although an embodiment of the present invention hasbeen shown and described in detail herein, along with certain variantsthereof, many other varied embodiments that incorporate the teachings ofthe invention may be easily constructed by those skilled in the art, andeven included or integrated into a processor or CPU or other largersystem integrated circuit or chip. The disclosed methodology may also beimplemented solely or partially in program code stored in a portable orfixed memory device, such as so-called “Flash” memory, from which it maybe loaded into other memory devices and executed to achieve thebeneficial results as described herein. Accordingly, the presentinvention is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forthherein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives,modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for enabling user control of user'soff-line status messages available for display to other participants ina messaging application when said user is logged-off from said messagingapplication, said method comprising: enabling user authorized accessinput to establish an authorized access list, said authorized accesslist comprising a list of selected ones of said other participants whoare designated to have access to said user's off-line status messages;saving said authorized access list for use in enabling access to saiduser off-line status messages; determining when said user is logged-offfrom said messaging application; and displaying said user's off-linestatus messages to participants who are on said user's authorized accesslist when said user is logged-off from said messaging application. 2.The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including saving saidauthorized access list at a messaging server, said messaging serverbeing arranged for connecting said user to said other participants. 3.The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including enabling saiduser to input a different authorized access list for each of a pluralityof said user's off-line status messages.
 4. The method as set forth inclaim 3 and further including: displaying an off-line message selectionmenu to said user, said off-line message selection menu containing aplurality of user off-line status messages of selectable content;enabling said user to select at least one of said user off-line statusmessages; and associating said user selected off-line status messagewith a corresponding authorized access list.
 5. The method as set forthin claim 4 wherein one of said selectable content messages comprises aplurality of selectable fixed content messages, said user being enabledto select from said plurality of fixed content messages.
 6. The methodas set forth in claim 4 wherein one of said selectable content messagescomprises a plurality of user input message types, said user inputmessage types including means for enabling user input of text content tosaid user input message types.
 7. The method as set forth in claim 6 andfurther including: enabling user timing input to establish times duringwhich said user's off-line status messages are available for display tosaid other participants; and saving said timing input for subsequentaccess in association with a communication of said user off-line statusmessages.
 8. The method as set forth in claim 7 and further includingsaving said user timing input at said messaging server.
 9. The method asset forth in claim 7 and further including enabling said user to inputdifferent selected times for each of a plurality of said user's off-linestatus messages.
 10. The method as set forth in claim 1 and furtherincluding displaying user's buddy list and enabling said user to selectfrom said buddy list in establishing said authorized access list.
 11. Astorage medium including machine readable coded indicia, said storagemedium being selectively coupled to a reading device, said readingdevice being selectively coupled to processing circuitry within acomputer system, said reading device being selectively operable to readsaid machine readable coded indicia and provide program signalsrepresentative thereof, said program signals being effective forenabling user control of user's off-line status messages available fordisplay to other participants in a messaging application when said useris logged-off from said messaging application, said program signalsbeing further effective for; enabling user authorized access input toestablish an authorized access list, said authorized access listcomprising a list of selected ones of said other participants who aredesignated to have access to said user's off-line status messages;saving said authorized access list for use in enabling access to saiduser off-line status messages: determining when said user is logged-offfrom said messaging application; and displaying said user's off-linestatus messages to participants who are on said user's authorized accesslist when said user is logged-off from said messaging application. 12.The medium as set forth in claim 11 wherein said program signals arefurther effective for saving said authorized access list at a messagingserver, said messaging server being arranged for connecting said user tosaid other participants.
 13. The medium as set forth in claim 11 whereinsaid program signals are further effective for enabling said user toinput a different authorized access list for each of a plurality of saiduser's off-line status messages.
 14. The medium as set forth in claim 13wherein said program signals are further effective for: displaying anoff-line message selection menu to said user, said off-line messageselection menu containing a plurality of user off-line status messagesof selectable content; enabling said user to select at least one of saiduser off-line status messages; and associating said user selectedoff-line status message with a corresponding authorized access list. 15.The medium as set forth in claim 14 wherein one of said selectablecontent messages comprises a plurality of selectable fixed contentmessages, said user being enabled to select from said plurality of fixedcontent messages.
 16. The medium as set forth in claim 14 wherein one ofsaid selectable content messages comprises a plurality of user inputmessage types, said user input message types including means forenabling user input of text content to said user input message types.17. The medium as set forth in claim 16 wherein said program signals arefurther effective for: enabling user timing input to establish timesduring which said user's off-line status messages are available fordisplay to said other participants; and saving said timing input forsubsequent access in association with a communication of said useroff-line status messages.
 18. The medium as set forth in claim 17 andfurther including saving said user timing input at said messagingserver.
 19. The medium as set forth in claim 17 and further includingenabling said user to input different selected times for each of aplurality of said user's off-line status messages.
 20. The medium as setforth in claim 11 wherein said program signals are further effective fordisplaying user's buddy list and enabling said user to select from saidbuddy list in establishing said authorized access list.
 21. A system forenabling user control of user's off-line status messages available fordisplay to other participants in a messaging application when said useris logged-off from said messaging application, said system comprising: amessaging server; a plurality of terminals, said terminals and saidmessaging server being coupled together through an interconnectionnetwork, each of said terminals including a display device and a userinput device, each of said terminals being selectively operable forenabling user to input an authorized access list, said authorized accesslist comprising a list of selected ones of said other participants whoare designated to have access to said user's off-line status messages,said system being further selectively operable for saving saidauthorized access list for use in enabling access to said user off-linestatus messages, said system being further operable for determining whensaid user is logged-off from said messaging application, and displayingsaid user's off-line status messages to participants who are on saiduser's authorized access list when said user is logged-off from saidmessaging application.